Thank you Henry Hold and Company for this copy and letting me be a part of this tour.

Synopsis:'I think you might be my father . . .'

When first-year student Zoë Barry walks into Professor David Connolly's office and tentatively says these words, he is left reeling. But it is the lives of his family - particularly his wife Caroline - which are turned upside down by the arrival of this stranger.

A daughter, a sister, a friend . . . an enemy?

Though no one knows quite who Zoë is, she is soon entangled in their lives. Yet her stories don't ring true and Caroline is determined to learn if the girl is the unlucky innocent she claims to be or someone with a far darker agenda.

A deadly cuckoo in the nest . . .Because by letting Zoë in, David and Caroline aren't just leaving themselves vulnerable. They're risking the most precious thing in the world - the lives of their children . . .

My Review:

Imagine dating a woman for a few years, then break up for a few years in which time you date another woman for a few months. Move forward to marrying the first woman, having two kids and leading a life where you've worked hard at your marriage and things are good... then this girl/woman shows up in your class, and at your office, and claims you are her father from your in between girlfriend. Boom, your world explodes.

As expected Caroline, the wife, doesn't take kindly to this news. Not only does she see a different side of Zoe than David does, she seems to be the only one concerned with how Zoe's introduction to their lives are affecting their other children.

This is a great book for those who are more into the characters and the drama that envelops them. I felt this was a bit of a gray read - nothing happy within it, but I tend to like these types of books. Unfortunately I think I was expecting more thriller... something more with a punch. Instead, what I got was a book that took you into David and Caroline's heads while they look at this "opportunity" in different lights.

What I did like was that while some parts were a bit far fetched, it was nice to see that David wasn't completely blind to everything and did have some doubts like a normal person would. The manipulation set forth was well done... however, rather than the book being just about Zoe and what she brought to the table, we saw the reality in David and Caroline's own making that made them so easy TO manipulate. Just one person can't make your life that difficult if your relationship wasn't already fraying... right?

The lead up to the ending, while could be shocking to some, kept well within the story line and the build up that the author(s) created. Great for those who love the lighter thriller reads such as The Twilight Wife and My Husband's Wife.

Fun fact: Karen Perry is the pen name Paul Perry and Karen Gillece, a duo who both live in Ireland!

★★★

In case you missed it - go check out any of these lovely accounts for their stops!